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SOWETAN | Halala! Well done Class of 2025
As the Class of 2025 embarks on post-school life, we wish them success.
WEDNESDAY, 14 JANUARY 2026, 10:34
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As the Class of 2025 embarks on post-school life, we wish them success.

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South Africa once had globally renowned business leaders such as Harry Oppenheimer, Raymond Ackerman, and Sol Kerzner. However, they are all gone.
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Top Stories
Emma Raducanu claims her first victory of the season, beating Camila Osorio at the Hobart International after their match was suspended by rain on Tuesday.
South Africa
At least 400 pupils on the Cep Flats had free back-to-school haircuts just in time for the start of the new school academic year on Wednesday.

South Africa
The Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen is briefing the media.

South Africa
Schools in high-risk areas will remain closed today to ensure the safety of learners and teachers.

South Africa
The department says it is looking forward to welcoming learners to schools.
World
Iran’s judiciary chief vowed fast-track trials for suspects arrested over a wave of protests, which the authorities have dismissed as “riots”, state television said.

World
A construction crane fell onto a moving passenger train, causing a fiery derailment that killed at least 22 people Wednesday in northeastern Thailand. Another 64 people were injured.

World
Residents of Ukraine’s capital talk about their difficulties keeping warm and enduring power outages, as Russian attacks deepen the energy crisis.

World
China’s trade surplus surged to a record of almost $1.2 trillion in 2025, the government said Wednesday, as exports to other countries made up for slowing shipments to the U.S. under President Donald Trump’s onslaught of higher tariffs.

Africa
The Amazigh calendar places them almost a thousand years ahead of much of the rest of the world.

Africa
The communications authority says the suspension is aimed at preventing misinformation and violence.

Africa
The offensive is in the central state of Kogi, where the bandits have recently become more active.

Africa
Eritrea are included in the preliminary qualifying round draw for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations despite being unranked by world governing body Fifa.

Business
South Africa’s sugar industry, one of the country’s largest agricultural employers, is facing what industry leaders describe as a looming tax-driven disaster.

Business
The government needs to significantly boost its capacity of offshore wind projects if it is to meet its clean power targets.

Business
Saks Global, which owns Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus, files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, leaving questions about the luxury retailer’s future.

Business
Beijing reported the largest-ever trade surplus at $1.19tn as China diversified its trade.

Politics
Health Department requested more funding after Trump administration withdrew PEPFAR funding.
Politics
The DA in KwaZulu-Natal has requested an audience with the National Freedom Party following its departure from the provincial unity government.
Politics
The DA has taken Sport, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie to Public Protector Kholeka Gcaleka after he withdrew a pro-Gaza art submission to the 61st Venice Biennale.

Politics
Makhubele was removed as Chief Whip with immediate effect.

Sport
No team has ever won the Premier League title without having a player in the top 10 goalscorers, but could Arsenal change that?

Sport
Today’s news and rumour roundup.

Sport
Gloucester have signed Rugby World Cup-winning South Africa lock Jean Kleyn for next season, the English Prem strugglers have confirmed.

Sport
Rassie Erasmus has just extended his contract as Springbok coach, and here is how his win record stacks up against others.
Education
[New Times] Beyond the Genocide, a documentary directed by Rwandan filmmaker Zion Sulaiman Mukasa Matovu, has been selected for distribution by GOOD DOCS, a United States-based platform that curates high-quality educational documentaries for universities and academic institutions worldwide.
Education
[This Day] Tunji Alausa is focused on building a future-ready education system that unlocks human capital, and restores confidence, reckons YAKUBU DATI
Education
The people who support barring trans girls from girls’ sports say the debate affects not just transgender athletes but whole teams and sports.
Education
[Vanguard] Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has condemned the arrest and arraignment of students of Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma, following a violent protest in the Edo State town, describing the action as an intolerant and heavy-handed response by the Federal Government.

Lifestyle
“I don’t have to agree with everything that he do or say, but I’m not going to, like, abandon him…”

Lifestyle
SA’s second most expensive private school – Michaelhouse – broke its record for the highest intake from around the country and beyond.
Lifestyle

Lifestyle
Calabash South Africa 2026 has officially been cancelled following the withdrawal of headlining act Muse from their upcoming tour dates.

Entertainment
Naledi is nominated for Best African Duo or Group in R&B alongside fellow musician Mawelele.

Entertainment
Roads agency unilaterally hiked the percentage-of-turnover levies paid by developers of these areas, with no clarity as to when this happened.

Entertainment
“I know what it takes to succeed here,” said Carrick.

Entertainment
The victims were reported missing on 31 December 2025, following a ransom demand made to one of the victims’ mothers.

Science/Tech
Several Starlink products are type-approved in South Africa, which means they do not need to be smuggled into the country and can be legally imported through customs.

Science/Tech
Elon Musk’s SpaceX is now offering free Starlink satellite service in Iran amid deadly protests and a days-long Internet blackout.
Science/Tech
Thelasko shares a report from Forbes: We have not seen this before. Iran’s digital blackout has now deployed military jammers, reportedly supplied by Russia, to shut down access to Starlink Internet. This is a game-changer for the Plan-B connectivity frequently used by protesters and anti-regime activists when ordinary access to the internet is stopped. “Despite reports that tens of thousands...

Science/Tech
The Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse rejects the notion that a driving licence validity extension should automatically trigger a price hike.

Motoring
South Africans are getting ready to ditch their traditional driving licences, but ‘what for’ remains the question.

Motoring
South Africans are spending noticeably less on petrol than they were a few months ago.

Motoring
South Africa has an exclusive selection of high-powered bakkies that can tackle rough terrain and give hot hatchbacks a run for their money.

Motoring
Tata has announced that two new SUVs are heading to South Africa this year.
Health
That number could increase significantly as more consumers are faced with higher bills brought on by expiring premium subsidies.

Health
Dr May van Schalkwyk from the University of Edinburgh shares her thoughts with Drs Chris and Xand on What’s Up Docs?

Health
Medical checks for the show picked up contestant Amanda Collier’s heart condition.
Health
The groups, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, say the C.D.C.’s revised vaccine schedule is not based on scientific evidence and will harm the public.